Residents living in Warrengate Road are
mopping up after floodwaters forced many to evacuate their homes overnight (Sunday October
29). Click
here for a picture gallery of the flooding.

Some moved into upstairs rooms, others left the area to stay with friends and relatives
as Mimmshall Brook broke its banks following some of the worst weather to hit the south of
England since the storms of 1987.

Have Your Say

If you want to share your experience of the flooding or
comment on the state of the flood defences on Warrengate Road please use the 'Have Your Say'
section

Swanland Road was flooded from the ford at Mimms Hall Cottages at the
south end through to Warrengate Road which in turn was flooded the full length to the
cottages at Water End.

The flooding extended several hundred metres up Bradmore Lane making the only approach
to Swanland Road via Welham Green.

Those living opposite Mimmshall Brook used sandbags to try to prevent the water rising
but by mid morning (Monday October 30) the floods had already risen six inches above the
ground floor skirting boards in several bungalows.

Two residents of Hawkshead Lane warned approaching vehicles of the floods and the road
closures for three and a half hours after spotting many vehicles backing up and reversing
into driveways.

They re-directed traffic away from the stricken western end of the lane.
Police told them that every single road closure sign was already being used elsewhere in
the county.

Sandbags fail to stop the water flooding the gardens and the ground
floors

Police and emergency services were on the scene on Monday morning helping
residents escape the flooding.

The brook itself had reached the top arch of the small hump back bridge at the end of
Hawkshead Lane and fields either side had become small lakes.

One elderly lady was helped out of her home by a neighbour to visit her sick husband in
hospital. Others gathered what they could and waded to safety along the flooded Warrengate
Road.

One driver became stranded at the foot of Hawkshead Lane at 06:00 and

It looks like a river but it is Bradmore Lane approaching Mimmshall Brook.

had to wade to safety. His car was eventually towed away five hours later.

To add to the chaos storm winds had brought down a number of branches and small
trees which in turn caused roads to be blocked.